1. Five Movies That Never Saw the Light of Day
Contrary to what you might think, Hollywood doesn't actually give the go-ahead to
every movie project featuring a big-name actor or director. While some really bad
movies make it to the big screen, others of varying degrees of quality languish
unseen. Reasons for ditching films range from overly high production costs to the
unavailability of actors or directors. Sometimes the movie is made and then
abandoned; occasionally, it never even gets made. Read on to learn about five
movies, that for better or worse, we never got the chance to see.
1. "The Nightmare of Edgar Allan Poe." Michael Jackson was slated to play
hard-drinking horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, who died somewhat mysteriously in
Baltimore in 1849. Apparently, Jackson had long been searching for just the right
lead role. His only notable big-screen appearance had been in a supporting role in
"The Wiz," released in 1978. The big-budget independent Poe movie was to have
been shot in Montreal in late 2000, with financing from Canada, Germany and
France. Though the movie was not planned as a musical, Jackson intended to sing
a song based on Poe's poetry over the closing credits. Jackson even began taking
acting lessons from close friend Marlon Brando, but talks for the project eventually
broke down, destroying Jackson's dream of starring in a biopic about the horror
writer he admired so much.
2. "At the Mountains of Madness." This movie was based on the horror novella
by H.P. Lovecraft. Guillermo de Toro originally signed on to direct the movie, and
only recently he affirmed his continued desire to do so. De Toro waited for months
to receive the green light from Universal Studios to make his dream project. The
story involves an Arctic expedition by a group of scientists, who come across an
ancient race of deadly aliens. James Cameron was chosen to produce the project,
and reports listed Tom Cruise as a possible leading man. The studio, however,
eventually deemed the project too much of a gamble, concerned by the movie's
$150-million price tag and de Toro's insistence on an R rating. Though big-budget
horror films are often considered a risk, de Toro's determination means that we just
may get to see "At the Mountains of Madness" sometime in the future.
3. "Genghis Khan." Apparently, Steven Seagal had a lifelong ambition to play the
rampaging Mongol warlord. Seagal first mentioned the project in 1998 and then set
to writing the script, naming himself director and star. Seagal took several trips to
China to scout out locations and enlist locals to play his relatives. Seagal stated that
American cinema was in the doldrums, and as a result, he wished to make the
movie with Kazakhstan and Russian filmmakers. Seagal eventually decided to stop

2. making violent films on the advice of his spiritual adviser. When Seagal's
production partner, Jules Nasso, who was suspected of having mob ties, pleaded
guilty to conspiring to threaten Seagal to collect an alleged debt, Genghis Khan
was doomed.
4. "Rendezvous with Rama." Making a movie based on the novel by Arthur C.
Clark had been talked about for years. David Fincher, director of "Alien 3," was
most recently attached to the project. Morgan Freeman developed an interest in the
project in 2000 and began to raise funds for its development. The book itself
recounts the tale of a crew sent to investigate a 30-mile-long alien spaceship
discovered in the solar system. Difficulties arose when Freeman was injured in a
2008 car accident. Further problems involving difficulties with financing meant the
movie never got made. Fincher and Freeman are reportedly continuing to push for
development and production of the film.
5. "Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian." In 1990 Beetlejuice director Tim Burton began
tossing around the idea of moving the title character to a tropical location. Burton
convinced Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton to sign on to the flick. The plot
centered on Beetlejuice's attempts to stop a hotel from being erected on an ancient
Hawaiian burial ground, and the script called for Beetlejuice to transform into a
huge creature named "Juicifer." Burton became distracted by work on "Batman
Returns," however, and Keaton and Ryder refused to work on the project without
Burton at the helm. Kevin Smith declined to direct when the project was later
offered to him.